8 tracks

Show

Fridays, on Discovery

60 minutes

Episodes

3 watches

December 1849 – June 1850: In the aftermath of the first Great Fire, the city of San Francisco is hit with a crime wave. A new gold rush breaks out in the burned-out rubble of the city. Threatened by the lawlessness, Sam Brannan seizes the perfect opportunity to expand his power—making himself judge, jury and executioner of the gold fields. June 1850 – October 1850: Looking to cash-in on Big Business's move west, Sam Brannan begins taking over the gold fields, violently evicting miners from their homes and mining claims in what amounts to a massive claim jump. But the 49ers who've risked their lives to find their fortunes in the gold fields aren’t going to back down without a fight.

3 watches

January 1848 – August 1849: Gold is discovered in California and the new American dream is born. As the news spreads across the country, over 300,000 people—one out of every 90 Americans—drop everything and head west with hopes of striking it rich. Among the prospectors making the journey is an outfit of 40 men known as Boston Company. August 1849 – December 1849: In less than a year, the Gold Rush has already started to transform America. But in the gold fields, Boston Company learns that finding gold isn’t going to be easy. The mining camps are only growing more crowded with every passing day. As desperation sets in, the 49ers turn violent and the Gold Rush slides into chaos.